"Because you miss your deceased wife, you want to adopt Rukia, who resembles her, as a foster child of the Kuchiki Clan? Is that your excuse? Did you use these words to deceive Rukia?"
Toshiro looked at Byakuya and continued.
Byakuya frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Toshiro said meaningfully, "I mean you are lying. Similar in appearance, also hailing from the 78th District of South Rukongai, Inuzuri District. Rukia's relationship with your wife, Hisana, isn't that simple, is it?"
Byakuya's face turned cold. "What exactly do you know? And how do you know about my wife?"
Toshiro replied calmly, "The head of the Kuchiki Clan, foremost of the Four Great Noble Houses, marrying a commoner from Rukongai… that affair must have caused quite a stir back then. It's not strange for me to have heard of her.
"Moreover, Captain Kyoraku once saw Rukia and was surprised by her resemblance to your wife. He told me about your wife then. From that moment, I began to suspect something: Rukia and your wife must be related, right?"
Toshiro speculated.
The marriage of the Kuchiki Clan's head… another noble and Captain like Kyoraku would likely have attended the wedding.
Of course, Kyoraku never actually told Toshiro about Kuchiki Hisana. Toshiro had known from the beginning that Rukia was Hisana's younger sister. Using Kyoraku as the source was just a pretext.
Hearing Toshiro's words, Byakuya's expression changed momentarily before returning to calm.
"That's correct. Rukia is actually my wife's younger sister."
"Hmm, as I thought."
Toshiro wore an expression of 'just as I expected'. "Adopting a commoner from Rukongai as a foster child of the Kuchiki Clan… even for the Kuchiki Clan's head, you must face immense pressure. You couldn't possibly do something so rule-breaking just because Rukia resembles your wife."
Byakuya continued, "My wife, Hisana, once told me that after she died in the Living World, she and Rukia were sent to the 78th District of South Rukongai, Inuzuri District.
"But that place was chaotic. Surviving alone was difficult, let alone with an infant. Out of desperation, Hisana abandoned Rukia.
"However, Hisana deeply regretted this afterward. After marrying me, she never stopped searching for Rukia."
At this point, Byakuya's expression grew sorrowful. "But Hisana's health was poor. She passed away after only a few years."
"Before her death, Hisana begged me to find Rukia. She felt she had abandoned her and was unworthy of being called her sister. So, she wished for me to become Rukia's older brother."
Byakuya explained.
"Therefore, I must fulfill Hisana's wish and bring Rukia into the Kuchiki Clan. Hitsugaya Toshiro, do not stand in my way any longer, or I will stop at nothing."
Byakuya declared with firm resolve.
Toshiro frowned. "Kuchiki Byakuya, don't you understand yet?"
"Understand what?"
Byakuya asked, puzzled.
"Why was your wife Hisana so determined to find Rukia? Was it merely so Rukia could enter the Kuchiki Clan, live a stable life, and enjoy wealth and status?"
Toshiro challenged.
Without waiting for Byakuya's reply, Toshiro continued, "Of course not. Hisana simply wanted Rukia to have a family. She wanted her to feel the warmth of a home."
"If that is Hisana's wish, I will make it so."
Byakuya said.
"But can you truly achieve that? If Rukia truly enters the Kuchiki Clan, forget about others, how will the people within the Kuchiki Clan itself view her… a girl from Rukongai, previously just a commoner?"
Toshiro pressed further.
Byakuya's tone turned icy. "If anyone in the Kuchiki Clan dares to bully Rukia, I will not let them off."
Then, Byakuya said somewhat impatiently, "Hitsugaya Toshiro, I will treat Rukia well and ensure she suffers no grievances. But on this matter, I will not concede. Moreover, after entering the Kuchiki Clan, she can still do whatever she wishes."
"Very well then. However, if you care for someone, you should express it. Don't always wear that cold face. Rukia won't be able to feel your concern that way."
Toshiro said somewhat helplessly.
Since Byakuya was insistent and Rukia had agreed, there really was no need for Toshiro to make himself unwelcome.
As a Transmigrator, not only had he failed to persuade Byakuya, but he had been persuaded by him instead. It was rather embarrassing.
'It seems the art of persuasion is truly a job for the Protagonist!'
"Hmph. Showing a cold face is something you're guilty of as well."
Byakuya said somewhat displeased.
"But regarding Rukia, I will try to express my concern more."
Although somewhat irked, he still accepted Toshiro's suggestion.
"Well, since that's the case, I'll be going then."
Although he hadn't achieved his objective, it wasn't a complete loss. At least Byakuya promised to show more concern, which should help Rukia live more happily in the Kuchiki Clan.
"Wait!"
Byakuya suddenly called out to Toshiro, who was about to leave.
Toshiro asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
"I... have a request to ask of you."
Byakuya said, his expression somewhat awkward.
He looked as if asking someone for a favor was deeply embarrassing.
"Oh? A request? The esteemed head of the Kuchiki Clan, Captain of the 6th Division, has a request for someone else?"
Toshiro couldn't help but tease.
Seeing the aloof Byakuya asking for a favor was a rare sight indeed.
"It's about Rukia."
Byakuya ignored Toshiro's remark, his expression turning serious again, as if the awkward person from a moment ago wasn't him.
"I knew it would be about that."
The only thing that could make Byakuya ask someone for a favor was Rukia.
Even though Rukia hadn't officially entered the Kuchiki Clan yet, it seemed Byakuya's brotherly instincts were already awakening.
Byakuya said solemnly, "Please, do not tell Rukia about Hisana. Hisana did not wish for Rukia to know they were sisters. I beg of you, Hitsugaya Toshiro."